PARTNERS
Seema Tilak
Seema is grateful to dedicate her profession to the protection of creativity. Seema has spent over a decade guiding artists and entrepreneurs in optimal ways to structure, protect, monetize, and diversify their intellectual property.
Seema specializes in entertainment and media creation, working with creative entrepreneurs in all aspects of production legal, trademarking and branding, distribution, intellectual property strategy, development and financing.
Seema’s passion is in finding novel ways to monetize intellectual property across various mediums and platforms. From producers to tattoo artists and nail salon owners, Seema cherishes her clients who work with art and creativity in a myriad of forms.
Seema began her legal career at a top-tier Beverly Hills entertainment litigation firm, representing A-list celebrities in disputes encompassing rights of publicity, invasions of privacy, contractual breaches, and defamation, among other disputes. Notably, Seema represented Terry Bollea (p/k/a “Hulk Hogan”) in a landmark privacy case against Gawker Media in 2016, which resulted in a six-figure settlement and media frenzy – leading the world to question how far the right of privacy extends to public figures and celebrities.
Seema’s experience as a litigator has uniquely informed her transactional practice, allowing her to advise clients on the practical implications of contracts in a way few other lawyers can do.
Seema’s transactional practice entails creating bespoke contracts for her clients while limiting the “legalese” which can hold up creative deals. Seema founded Create in 2019 to further her connection to creatives.
Since its inception, Create has evolved into a hub for creators of all types to feel supported and educated through their individual journeys, while ensuring that their intellectual property is solid and adequately protected.
Seema aims to provide straightforward legal advice and counsel without large firm showmanship. New media means redefining structures and deal terms. The change in media landscape begets room for creativity which Seema believes should work to empower her clients.
If she’s not nerding out about the legal implication of algorithms (see her article in: “The Cambridge Handbook of the Law of Algorithms”) or helping her clients problem-solve, then she’s probably fighting for the Oxford comma or sunbathing with her pup.
At the end of the day, Seema approaches law with the same resolve she does life: with love, enthusiasm, and good vibes.
Seema is an alumna of the University of the Pacific and Loyola Law School and is an adjunct professor at USC’s Gould School of Law and is a frequent lecturer at Loyola Law School. She is a member of the California bar.
Kevin Garland
Kevin believes that film and television are the great American art forms. As overly serious (and un-serious) as that may sound, he likes to point out that California’s distinct culture and laws helped foster Hollywood’s fast ascent.
Kevin’s experience with copyright law, intellectual property, and complex contracts helps his clients create better art. Kevin joined Create excited by the firm’s mission of providing high-end legal solutions customized for each client’s needs. He particularly enjoys the personal connections Create has with a diverse set of clients.
In the film and TV industries, Kevin represents production companies, studios, financiers, and individual creators. He also advises clients in the music and fashion industries, including record labels, management companies, talent agencies, musicians, songwriters, creative directors, photographers, and influencers.
Kevin drafts and reviews all types of contracts for his entertainment, media, and fashion clients. He handles development, sales, and distribution deals as well as talent contracts (writers, directors, showrunners, actors, and producers). He helps clients option scripts, books, art, and life rights. Kevin also serves as outside counsel to a variety of small companies with corporate law needs.
With a unique background in independent film finance, Kevin advises clients on co-financing arrangements, film equity agreements, CAMAs, completion bonds, and other contracts related to project finance transactions. Kevin helped coordinate the largest independent film finance transaction (Luc Besson’s “Valerian”) while at leading international law firm, Hogan Lovells. A former executive at Endeavor Content (now Fifth Season), Kevin’s high-level experience is amplified by Create’s client-first approach.
Kevin has overseen legal work for co-productions between the U.S. and UK, France, South Africa, Canada, China, and Mexico. He has worked on major biopics with complex life rights agreements, rights of publicity and privacy, and First Amendment issues.
Kevin aids clients to keep long-term financial participation in their unique intellectual property. Notably, Kevin’s representative experience includes negotiating the sale of the beloved book series "The Chronicles of Narnia" to Netflix for a multi-series and multi-film deal.
Kevin has personally produced feature films, commercial projects, music videos, and short films, making him the rare lawyer who understands the practical side of development and production.
When Kevin isn’t thinking about his clients (and even then), he enjoys traveling near and far to see the arts in person. His favorite thing is getting lost in the immersive experience of a beautiful film.
Kevin is an alumnus of Dartmouth College and UCLA School of Law and an adjunct professor at USC’s Gould School of Law. He is a member of the California and New York bars.